Ducks goalie Frederick Andersen makes a save during the second period of Friday's game against the Senators in Ottawa. ADRIAN WYLD, THE CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA – His first NHL start … two wins in his first two appearances … a new two-year contract extension.

In the moments after the Ducks’ 2-1 victory over Ottawa, goalie Frederik Andersen stood in front of his stall at Canadian Tire Centre and took a moment to assess his past few days.

“It’s probably one of the weeks I’ll remember for a long time,” Andersen said.

A day after agreeing to a new deal announced by the team Friday that will pay him $2.3 million over the subsequent two seasons, Andersen showed why the Ducks are also high on his abilities with a 26-save performance against the Senators.

The Ducks already have Jonas Hiller and Viktor Fasth. They also have top prospect John Gibson further sharpening his game in the American Hockey League.

But Andersen, 24, is out to show he shouldn’t be overlooked. Called up last week to replace the injured Fasth, the Dane made a strong first impression by stopping all 24 shots he faced in relief of Hiller on Sunday against Dallas.

That got him a victory in his debut. And Andersen was much better Friday, making several key saves that included two big stops on former Ducks winger Bobby Ryan.

The Ducks have a wealth of goaltending depth in their system and Andersen could be part of their mix in the coming years, particularly with Hiller’s contract expiring next summer and him potentially becoming an unrestricted free agent.

Andersen could be another cost-effective option as he’ll make $1 million in 2014-15 and 2015-16. He’ll be trying to show himself as long as he has the opportunity while Fasth is on the mend.

“When you get one game, you want to get two and keep going,” Andersen said. “We have two other good goalies. I don’t know how long I’m going to be having a chance to play. Obviously you make the best of it every time I get a start or ice time.

“That’s my main quality right now. Still develop to be a regular in the league at some point.”

Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said the 6-foot-4 Andersen brings a different element that his more experienced goaltenders don’t possess.

“I thought his puck handling was really good,” Boudreau said. “As good as Hilly and Viktor are, they’re not the best puck handlers. And Freddie really helped the defense out tonight with that.

“I thought the other thing he did well was he really smothered the puck and didn’t allow rebounds. If you’re team is winning faceoffs, it’s a really good bonus for you.”

Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf was impressed. “He played great,” Getzlaf said. “Freddie came in the other night when he had to relieve Hillsy and played really well. We had all the confidence in him. We know he’s a good goaltender. It’s nice to see him get rewarded with a win after an effort like that.”

As memorable as this week has been, Andersen knows he has more work to do.

“It’s been fun so far,” he said. “It’s not only one week, it’s a full year. You want to be sharp and then next year, obviously you want to continue doing good stuff. Not just one week.”

PERREAULT HURT

Center Mathieu Perreault left in the second period and did not return in what might be a wrist injury. The Ducks are officially calling it an upper-body injury but Perreault had his left forearm covered in a soft brace.

Perreault said nothing was broken and believes it is a sprain but it makes him questionable for Sunday’s game in Columbus. Boudreau said the playmaker was injured during a power play where he “jammed it in the corner.”

“We got a day off tomorrow,” Boudreau said. “Let’s see how it is tomorrow, if it simmers down and then we’ll take it from there.”

Dustin Penner continues to improve and might join the team in Columbus as he is now free of concussion symptoms and was able to skate on his own in Anaheim. Matt Beleskey is also on the road to recovery from a broken left thumb.

Teemu Selanne sat out as the Ducks are sticking to their plan of resting him in the back end of games on consecutive nights. Kyle Palmieri was back in the lineup and had three shots on goal in just of eight minutes of action. … Ben Lovejoy played 16 minutes, 43 seconds after being scratched for the first time in Montreal. … Jakob Silfverberg went scoreless with three shots in his first game against Ottawa since the Senators traded him in the Ryan deal.

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.